Everyday Living

The Colors Of Provence

~ Decorating, Travel

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭

You all know how much I love books…to read, to decorate with, to get lost in…I just love books!  A couple of days ago, as I was rearranging and stacking books, my eyes were drawn to my collection about Provence.  Long before I ever visited this beautiful place, I dreamed about it and knew I wanted my feet to walk those cobblestoned streets!  For so many years, travel was not attainable for us, but I did the next best thing…I visited through books!  The warm colors, the fragrant smells, the earthy tastes…oh I wish I was there now!  Books made it so that I could get lost in a place that I had never even been!

Where was I?  Oh yeah, the family room!  As I took a little trip to Provence via the stack of books, I was inspired to create a vignette that is all things Provence!  My garden is full of sunflowers, lavender, and rosemary this summer, so that was my starting point…and everything else just fell into place!  Provence is one of my favorite destinations and hopefully we can return, but until then I can enjoy my colorful little spot of Provence in the family room!


I bought this beautiful antique country French chest many years ago (for a great price) and I have never regretted that decision.  The tapestry on top was made in Provence!

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From Sea To Snow

~ Travel

“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the skies announce what his hands have made”
Psalm 19:1

The forecast shows near 100 degree temps here in the Deep South…so to say it is hot is an understatement!  And what better way to spend a summer day than at the beach or on a snow-capped mountain?!  You all have been such troopers on our visits to various places while we were in Seattle…making stops at Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden & Glass, and Butchart Gardens so far!

Today, we are continuing our trip down the coast…and as we travel you will see a little bit of a change of scenery.  And today, our tour guide will be none other than The Renaissance Man, Butch.  Let’s hop in the car and enjoy the ride…from sea to snow!


Driving south on Hwy 101 along Oregon’s north coast we found Ecola State Park to be an amazing detour that we were glad we chose. The road into the park meanders through Sitka Spruce and other lush greenery. This was our first stop. Not because this was a marked destination, but we were stopped in traffic. Yes, this is a popular place! If you are stopped for a few minutes in traffic and have this view there’s no complaining.

This view, of what is called sea stacks, awaited us at the end of the trail and the scenery from this vantage point was breathtaking in every direction!

 

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Butchart Gardens

~ Travel

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭

We’ve taken you along the aisles of Pike Place Market where the fish were flying and the bouquets of flowers were gorgeous.  We’ve also been to Chihuly Garden & Glass where it’s almost hard to believe that the sculptures are made by hand!  But we aren’t finished with our adventures in Seattle!  While we were there, we also took an amazing day trip to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, Canada.  We departed for a three hour cruise from Seattle on the ferry that took us through Puget Sound and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca on our way to Victoria’s Inner Harbour.  What’s there to do in Victoria, British Columbia?  Glad you asked!

Before we travel, I always spend time researching all there is to know about the place we are going ….you never know if you will have a chance to return, so I want to do and see as much as we can!  Everything I read mentioned the beauty of Butchart Gardens, but we only had one day in Victoria, and really didn’t want to spend the day there, because I wanted to explore the city!  So, we had intentions of wandering through the city…but right before the ferry landed, we decided we would buy tickets and visit the Gardens!  And it was a great decision…it was one of the highlights of our trip!  You are in for a treat today…lots for the eye to take in!  Come along as we take a walk around the beautiful Butchart Gardens!

Robert P. Butchart, a pioneer in the thriving North American cement industry, was attracted by rich limestone deposits on Canada’s West Coast.  He moved his family and in  1904 he developed a quarry and built a cement plant on Vancouver Island 13 miles from Victoria.   Close to the quarry,  Butchart and his wife, Jennie, established the family home complete with plantings of sweet peas and rose bushes.


For the next five years limestone was quarried from a massive excavation to supply the cement factory.

From the lookout, this was our first view of the spectacular Sunken Garden


By 1909, the limestone was exhausted, and a unsightly barren pit was all that remained.

Today, deep expansive walls (remnants of the quarry) cradle beds of annuals, flowering trees, and unique shrubs.

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